Chapter II: Section II

IN THE ORKNEYS, THE HEBRIDES, ICELAND, GREENLAND, NORTH
AMERICA, RUSSIA, ETC.

795–1026.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT IN THE ORKNEYS.—SUCCESSION OF JARLS,
ROGNEVALD, SIGURD, HALLAD, EINAR, SIGURD II., ETC.—DISCOVERY AND
COLONIZATION OF ICELAND.—DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION OF
GREENLAND.—ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF NORTH AMERICA.—STATEMENT OF FACTS
CONNECTED WITH IT.—FOUNDATION OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE BY THE
SCANDINAVIAN RURIC.

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888. Establishment of a Government in the 1
Orkneys by Harald Harfagre; Sigurd,
the first Jarl

889–892. Able Administration of Sigurd; he is 2
succeeded by Einar

893–936. Administration of Einar 4

936–943. Of Arnkel and Erlend, the Sons of Einar 5

946–980. Succession of Jarls 5

980–1014. Sigurd, the next Jarl, compelled to 6
embrace Christianity; Legend

Piratical Depredations on the 8
neighbouring Islands

861, &c. Iceland Discovered by the Norwegian 9
Naddod, who is followed by other
Navigators

874. Iceland first colonised by Ingulf; Fate 10
of Jorleif

884. Other Colonists, especially Thorolf, the 11
Priest of Thor; Manner in which he
established the new Colony

874–936. Progress of the new Colonies 13

Formation of a Northern Code 14

930. Internal Economy of this important 15
Island; the great Chief of the Law

Circumstances which led to the Discovery 16
of Greenland by Eric the Red

Christianity Introduced into Greenland 17
by Leif, the Son of Eric

1001. Alleged Discovery of North America by 17
Biarn, a Descendant of Ingulf

The newly-discovered Country visited by 18
Leif, the Son of Eric

Remarks on this Relation 19

1004–1008. Voyage of Thorwald, who dies in the 19
Country called Vinland

1009. Thorfin, a Norwegian Chief, makes the 20
first Attempt at Colonisation

1026–1121. The Country visited by other People, 21
especially by the Missionaries

The Balance of Evidence decidedly in 22
favour of the alleged Discovery of the
American Continent many Ages before
Columbus

862. A Scandinavian Dynasty founded in Russia 23
by Ruric

Circumstances connected with that 24
memorable Event; how far probable

861, 862. Novogrod the Seat of the new Dynasty 25

The Domination of the Strangers extended 26
to Kief; two Governments

882. Evils arising from the Creation of two 27
States; Kief subdued by the Regent of
Novogrod

Maritime Expeditions of the Northmen 27
into Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy,
Greece, &c.

CHAP. V.

COSMOGONY AND RELIGION OF SCANDINAVIA.